The Kurdish Academy of Stockholm’s statement is as follows:
The United Nations, the European Union, and major powers (such as the USA, France, Israel…) must recognize the rights of the Kurdish people and support their struggle for freedom on their own land. Kurds alone cannot protect themselves from their enemies; therefore, these international powers must protect them. The Kurdish issue must be addressed in the formation of a new government in Syria, and the Kurdish nation must have the same rights as the Arab nation. The true freedom of the Kurdish nation is directly linked to its unity. Kurdish leaders must resolve their internal differences and unite to become a force for Kurdistan. The future and success of Western Kurdistan (Rojava) are linked to its unity. They must be one, they must be united…
As academics, we must examine the issue of Western Kurdistan in Syria from an academic perspective, because we are making a serious effort to understand the situation. We can analyze the results according to our perspectives, but this is not enough. Scholars, analysts, and researchers should approach the issue systematically, independently, and with academic rigor. Russian academic Konstantin Turyevtsev said: “If President Bashar al-Assad wanted to solve the Kurdish issue, he would have solved it under the law of clause 107…” Putin says: “The Kurdish issue must be solved, it should have been solved under Bashar al-Assad’s government.” American diplomat Ethan Goldrich says: “Protecting the rights of ethnic minorities, racial groups, and religious communities in Western Kurdistan and Syria is very important. According to him, the USA will not withdraw from Syria.” CIA Director David Petraeus, UN Special Envoy to Syria Staffan de Mistura, and Kurdish friend Bernard-Henry Levy in 2020 discussed the Kurdish situation at Yale University in Connecticut, USA, and gained insights from their observations. Two American senators opposed Turkey’s operations in Western Kurdistan: one of them is Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen, and the other is Republican Senator Lindsey Graham. Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock urges Turkey to pull back from Western Kurdistan. According to her, peace, security, and freedom for Kurds are crucial for their future. Noam Chomsky says Kurds should unite and transcend their internal divisions. He acknowledged that the challenges Kurds face differ based on the countries in which they live.
Today is the day to protect the land of Kurdistan, which represents the honor and dignity of the Kurdish nation. Kurds must unify politically and militarily to defend their land. The enemies of Kurds are stronger than the Kurds themselves, so they must be protected by the United Nations, the European Union, and other international powers. Today, the support of international powers, especially the USA, France, and Israel, gives us great hope. The Kurdish issue must be addressed in the formation of a new government in Syria, and the Kurdish nation must have the same rights as the Arab nation. The true freedom of the Kurdish nation is directly linked to its unity. Kurdish leaders must resolve their differences and unite in order to become a force for Kurdistan. The future and success of Western Kurdistan (Rojava) are tied to its national unity.
After the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s dictatorial regime, Turkey prepared for the invasion of Western Kurdistan’s land. Due to internal conflicts and war with the Kurds, a harsh authoritarian military and foreign policy has been implemented, which is hostile towards the Kurds. Bashar al-Assad’s regime may have collapsed, but its oppression continues. “The place for Kurdish representation should exist in the United Nations.” Kurds in Western Kurdistan live in a constant state of fear. Trump was once silenced by Erdogan. What will Trump do for the Kurds in Syria?
- A federal system or the right of the oppressed people in the United Nations Declaration should be implemented in practice. A federal Syria where Kurdish and Arab communities have equal status (official languages of the state).
- ENKS and PYD/HSD should occupy political positions and cooperate. PYD/HSD and Kurdish organizations must give up their opposition to Kurdish statehood… ENKS advocates for federalism in Kurdistan. PYD/HSD advocates for autonomy. Kurds must give up their autonomy or regional canton system and demand a federal system/solutions. ENKS, PYD/HSD, and the Kurds in Western Kurdistan must sign an agreement and jointly defend the status of Kurdish lands.
- Kurdish should become an official language in Western Kurdistan, with Arabic as a secondary language.
- Assyrian/Syriac, Chaldean, Circassian, Armenian, Druze, Turkmen/Turk, and Arab communities in Western Kurdistan and Syria who live as minorities should be freed from national oppression and should be able to educate in their own languages, with their cultural, national, and democratic rights recognized. Religious or ideological groups should also enjoy their religious rights. Kurdish political leaders and scholars must study ethnic minorities, religious groups, and other sectors based on scientific research.
The Kurdish nation must be protected by international powers, the United Nations, the European Union, and their support. Kurdish regions must be protected from foreign occupation and invasion. This is essential because Turkey provides support to SMO (Syrian National Army). SMO is a Turkish-backed militia fighting against Kurds.
- The United Nations, the European Union, and major powers must stop Turkey’s attacks on Kurdish civilians in Rojava and all of Kurdistan.
- If Turkey does not withdraw, the UN, EU, and USA should intervene to bring peace, security, and human rights to Western Kurdistan.
What does a federal state, sovereignty, the right of self-determination, and autonomy mean?
In the international legal system, a state is a legal actor and must meet four criteria:
- A permanent population.
- A defined territory.
- A government (parliament, authority, organization, and institutions).
- The capacity to engage in relations with other states.
The Kurdish nation meets all four of these criteria.
A federal state is a union of two or more self-governing states (or several self-governing regions) where both parties have equal rights and control over their lands and people. The right of self-determination is the right of an oppressed people to be governed by their own will or to attain political independence. Autonomy is a recognized internal right. Several countries in the world are currently federal, such as the United States of America (a federal republic), Canada, and others. The independence of the United States in 1776 was very important. In 1776, America became an independent state and joined the union. Example: Czech Republic and Slovakia, which were formerly two separate governments.
In brief:
Syria should become a federal state, and the Kurdish nation should be a full member of the new constitution and have the same rights as the Arab nation on its land. Beyond the rights of the Kurdish nation, the rights of ethnic minorities and religious groups are also important and must be recognized. The best solution is that Syria should not be a centralized state. In the global value of democracy, the right of self-determination for oppressed nations, minority rights, and human rights cannot be ignored, and they must be enforced. The United Nations and the European Union, which protect these rights, must not remain silent and must ensure that Kurds are recognized in all their rights. Therefore, the Kurdish Academy in Stockholm calls on the European Union, the United Nations, and the United States to recognize the Kurdish nation’s right to a federal state. SMO is a Turkish-backed militia fighting against Kurds in Rojava, and in the face of this terrorist organization, international powers such as the UN, EU, and the USA must intervene.
Note: The Kurdish Academy in Stockholm calls on all Kurdish political groups to avoid conflict over our land. Kurds must choose the path of dialogue with one another and with their enemies and be united for the cause of Kurdistan.
Kurdish Academy in Stockholm
President of the Kurdish Academy
Dr. Maruf Yilmaz
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